Union Pacific sets ribbon cutting for Boone, Iowa bridge

Written by jrood

On October 1, Union Pacific Chairman and CEO Jim Young, Director of Iowa Department of Transportation Nancy Richardson and Boone Mayor John Slight will officially open and name the new railroad bridge just west of Boone, Iowa, that is one of the highest double-track railroad bridges in North America coming in at 2,813 feet long and 190 feet high above the Des Moines River.  After remarks from Young, Director Richardson and Mayor Slight at the UP depot in Boone, officials and media will board a train to go look at the new bridge close up. The public is invited to attend the remarks at the UP depot.

The existing 108-year-old
bridge, named for railroad heroine Kate Shelley, was in need of replacement
after years of use. The maximum speed trains could operate on the old bridge
was 25 mph resulting in congestion along UP’s busy corridor linking Chicago to
the West Coast. The new structure improves operational efficiency and supports
growth in UP’s customers’ businesses and increased freight capacity. Two trains
can operate on the new bridge at 70 mph.

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